Fisheries transparency highlighted at EU–Zanzibar Business Forum

The FiTI International Secretariat participated in the 2025 European Union – Zanzibar Business Forum to present and discuss the importance of transparency in fostering a more conducive business environment and investment climate in the fisheries sector. FiTI Regional Coordinator for Anglophone Africa, Dr Godfred Ameyaw Asiedu, represented the International Secretariat during the Forum.

The European Union – Zanzibar Business Forum is a platform designed to facilitate public-private dialogue and partnerships between the Zanzibar authorities and mostly European private sector. The Forum brought together policymakers, regulators, investors, business leaders, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs) and other key stakeholders to identify and discuss challenges and opportunities for investment in the fisheries sector. The President of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Dr Hussein Mwinyi, was also in attendance.

Participating as a panellist during the fisheries session, the FiTI International Secretariat identified a lack of availability and accessibility of reliable fisheries data and information in Zanzibar as a challenge in efforts to promote investment in the fisheries sector. As an actionable resolution, the session concluded that the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar will task the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries with building capacity to increase transparency in fisheries management data and information sharing for the sustainable development of Zanzibar’s fisheries, with technical support from the FiTI.

The FiTI International Secretariat took this opportunity to engage government, civil society and private sector marine fisheries stakeholders and discuss the potential for mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar to sign a tripartite MoU. This would publicly declare their intention to join and implement the FiTI to enhance transparency in marine fisheries management as the United Republic of Tanzania. The FiTI engaged in separate discussions with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries in mainland Tanzania and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries in Zanzibar to review and identify challenges and opportunities for the signing of the MoU. Both mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar principally agreed to sign the MoU after the review. The FiTI will continue to engage both jurisdictions to join and implement the FiTI for sustainable marine fisheries management.

Later, the FiTI also attended the Tuna Fishery National Alliance’s Annual General Meeting in Dar es Salaam to discuss their role in advocating for the government of Tanzania to sign the MoU for the implementation of the FiTI. This is an Alliance of different private sector fishery operators (both small-scale and large-scale) in Tanzania. National Executives of the Alliance promised to follow up with the minister to sign the MoU and advocate for implementation of the FiTI in Tanzania as part of their annual work plan.

The FiTI also met with WWF – Tanzania to discuss progress in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar regarding the signing of the MoU as well as work with CSOs. WWF confirmed their continued efforts to work with the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries in mainland Tanzania and the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries in Zanzibar to implement the FiTI.

The FiTI later had a meeting with the Development Cooperation Office of the Embassy of Ireland in Dar es Salaam to discuss FiTI’s work in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, as well as in other Anglophone African countries, and opportunities for collaboration.